Each year, as part of the preparations for the NFL draft the NFL Combine instead of. From February 27th to March 6th you will find the best college-Players coming in NFL draft can be elected in Indianapolis. There they compete in various athletic disciplines, undergo medical examinations and have to prove themselves in (job)interviews with interested NFL-Teams prove.
Weight and body fat percentage, body and hand size and arm length – before the athletic tests, the players are first measured all over and give the first pressinterviews. The athletic exercises then go from March 2nd to March 5th – depending on the position group.
Physical exercises include the 40-plus sprint yardslong jump and high jump from a standing position, shuttles-Runs over 20 and 60 yardsthe “Three cone drills“, which also tests lateral mobility and the bench press. In addition, players go through position-specific exercises that their football– Highlight skills. For example show quarterbacks different throws over different distances, wide receivers go through pass-catching situations and defensive liners show their technique with which they overcome opposing players.
Combine as a boost for athletically strong players
For those present scouts, Manager and coach of NFL-Teams offers the NFL Combine a good way of evaluating the college-Player to add another puzzle piece. Players who score points in the drills with their technical and physical skills and make a positive impression off the field can polish their player profile and possibly in the NFL–draft climb up, so get drafted earlier.
Last year the then pass rusher the Georgia Bulldogs, Travon Walker, personal bests for his position. He convinced with his physique, his speed, his agility and his power – so much so that the Jacksonville Jaguars put him first in the game a few months later NFL–draft 2022 voted, although Walker wasn’t actually a candidate for the top spots before that.
Eventual first pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Travon Walker, on practice.
Players who are already part of the clear circle of potential first-round picks this year include the quarterbacks Bryce Young, Will Levis, Anthony Richardson and CJ Stroud or pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Tyree Wilson.
Bryce Young refrains from participating in exercises and athletic tests
But not everyone is up to the tests and exercises. For example, Bryce Young, who could be selected as the first player, will not take part in the position-specific drills and athletic tests.
Players who are among the top contenders have been more likely to skip practices and tests in the past, including Joe Burrrow (today Cincinnati Bengals), Kyler Murray (now Arizona Cardinals) or Chase Young (now Washington Commanders).
Combine results can also hurt
There are several reasons for this decision: For example, the players do not want to risk injuries that would lead to them being elected later and thus receiving less salary and prestige. So for players like Bryce Young, who gets picked high in the combine even without athletic drills, the added value is marginal and if he doesn’t live up to the high expectations in the tests and drills, he could reduce his standing.
However, Bryce Young’s focus is on his height and weight anyway. Critics fear the quarterback, who was one of the smaller and lighter passers in college, doesn’t have the physique needed to compete in the NFL.